The Hindu Business Line : LG unveils new laptop range — Group eyes $2 b in revenues this year

LG Electronics India today announced the countrywide launch of its new range of high-end notebook computers powered by the Sonoma platform, targeting home users with its entertainment features and business segments.

The company is considering the possibility of manufacturing notebooks in the country while firming up plans to launch a range of new offerings including monitors later this year along with mass-market laptops and PCs.

The Head of IT, LG Electronics India, Mr R. Manikandan, said that these premium range of notebooks featured high-speed performance and came with ultra-thin bodylines powered by the latest Sonoma-based Express series.

The Head of Notebook PC and OEM Business, Mr Rajeen Saxena, said, "Five new models are powered by Dothan CPU which supports 533 MHz, backed by Mobile Intel 915 chipset and Intel Wireless Lan features. Backed by a DVD super multi-drive, one does not have to boot the system to play DVDs. Powered by "battery miser technology", they consume relatively less power, an attractive feature for laptops users.

The earlier LG notebooks powered by Intel Centrino were priced in the Rs 55,000 - Rs 75,000 range. This new range in the Rs 95,000- Rs 1,25,000 price band.

The IT division in India has four major product offerings — monitors for PCs, optical storage devices, desk top PCs and notebooks. "The LG Group in India has grown from Rs 125 crore in 1997 to Rs 6,500 crore in revenues in the year 2004 across various divisions, including IT. We expect this to cross the magical two-billion-dollar mark by this year- end," Mr Rajeev Saxena said.

"LG IT revenues are projected to cross Rs 1,100 crore this year and contribute about 12 per cent of its total revenues in India," Mr Manikandan said.

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